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MUSIC LESSONS
for BEGINNERS
and the
LESS ADVANCED.
THIS IS THE GUITAR PAGE.
On the left you see a picture of a guitar.
(This is what a guitar looks like to those people who can't play.)
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Here you see a modern "Spanish Guitar".
The spanish guitar builders get most of the credit for our modern system of "tuning".
EQUAL TEMPERAMENT.(12 notes per octave)
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Here you see a simplified drawing of the guitar.
By using this simplified diagram we can show one of the many possible routes followed by the Spanish Guitar builders in their quest for a practical way of "tuning" the guitar.
There are FIVE main components to the guitar.
1. The HEAD.
2. The NECK.
3. The BODY.
4. The NUT holds the strings in place at the head of the guitar.
5. The BRIDGE holds the strings in place on the body of the guitar.
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After thousands of years of trial and error:-
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During the fifteenth century the guitar finally evolved into a four string instrument.
Many different composers with many different tuning methods for the guitar were flourishing at this time. ....... ( link )
On the left you see our simplified diagram showing the "fixed" components of the guitar.
We should assume that these components are designed and assembled to fit a human being. (like a suite of clothes - a pair of shoes - a hat - etc.)
In this context these components are "fixed".
The "scale length" is the distance between the nut and the bridge. ... ( link )
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BO DIDDLEY.
(THE ORIGINATOR)
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BO DIDDLEY tuned his "G" string to a pitch pipe given to him by the choir master of a Baptist Church in Chicago.
BO DIDDLEY tuned the remaining strings to that "G" string using the notes from the "G" major pentatonic scale.
BO DIDDLEY played the blues in "G" minor.
BO DIDDLEY and his guitar were in tune with the universe.--- (link)
BO DIDDLEY
DID the BIZZ ------- (link)
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If I had to have just one "STRING" on my guitar then I would choose the "G" string.
1. The "G" string gives me 5 notes below middle "C"
2. The "G" string gives me at least 7 notes above middle "C"
3. The "G" string is in the mid range of the human voice.
4. The "G" string is in the mid range of the human ear.
5. We do not need any "FRETS" at this stage because we can pluck this "one string guitar" like a violin.
6. By stopping the string with our left hand and plucking with our right hand we can get two octaves plus all the notes in between.......( link )
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In order to achieve equal temperament you have to compromise.
During the 15th century the Spanish Guitar builders accepted the "octave" as the most practical "fixed point" in music.
I.E. if you stop a string at the mid point it will sound an octave higher........ ( link )
If I was going to have just one fret on my guitar I would place it at the mid point. (half way between the nut and the bridge)
On the left you can see that I have marked the mid point with a black cross.
We still do not need frets at this stage. (we can pluck scales arpeggios and tunes in any key - on one string)
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EQUAL TEMPERAMENT
During the 15th century
On the left you see the first three items which "triggered" the chain of events leading up to equal temperament.
1. Improved technology.
2. Improved materials.
3. Improved tools.
These three items paved the way for a cycle of improved music which increased demand and participation.
The "knock on" effect creates a "need" for more teachers - musicians - performers - composers - guitar builders - audiences and venues.
4. Patronage by the state would ensure the best possible chance of solving the Pythagorean comma( link )
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During the 15th century
the Spanish Empire was destined to become one of the largest empires in the history of the world.Human resource was valued and nurtured.
During the 15th century
guitars were built without the aid of measuring devices such as laser beams - tape measures - steel rules - vernier calipers - michrometers - tuning meters - tuning forks - pitch pipes - etc...( link )
The mid point was found by inducing the artificial harmonics...( link )
On the left you can see that we have renamed the "G" string.
CONTRALTO is a modern word which describes the "range" of our modern "G" string.
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During the 15th century
the Spanish guitar builders would use the human body as a measuring device.
The scale length would be based on the arms length of the guitarist.
The body of the guitar would be custom built to rest comfortably in the lap of the guitarist.
The CONTRALTO string would be selected and tuned to the voice of a female singer (with a low voice)
If the word "CONTRALTO" did not exist at this time they might have called this the mother string.
"G" string -
"CONTRALTO" string -
"mother" string - whatever!
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OCTAVE ONE
starts at the NUT and
finishes at the mid point.
(half way between the nut and the bridge)
The mid point is found by inducing a black harmonic.
OCTAVE TWO
starts at the mid point and
finishes at the 3/4 point.
(half way between the mid point and the bridge.
The 3/4 point is found by inducing a black harmonic.
During the 15th century
the guitar builder could have reached this stage without needing nor using any measuring devices other than -
the human body -
the human senses -
hand/eye/ear -
co-ordination.
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starts at the 3/4 point
and
finishes at the 7/8 point
One octave is the practical limit for the average guitarist.
If more notes are required we can add another string.
The guitar builder needs three octaves.
The mathematician can calculate octaves
ad infinitum.
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Home ------- ( link )
Piano ------- ( link )
Guitar ------- (link )
History ------ ( link )
On the left you see the alto string.
The mid point is found by inducing the black harmonic.
The mid point is marked with a black cross.
If you stop the string exactly on the black cross it will sound sharp compared to the harmonic. This is due to the increased tension required to force the string down onto the finger board.
By sliding the stopped note towards the nut it is a simple matter to get the harmonic and the stopped note to sound "in tune".
Now - if you draw a line across the fingerboard at this point we have two reference points.
The fret will be placed somewhere between the line and the cross.
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GUITAR TUNING
HARMONICS -------( link )
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The Guitar is to music as the Vernier Caliper is to Engineering.-- (link)
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